Public security ministry detects asset appropriation via payday loans

By Thai Son
Wed, April 12, 2023 | 8:23 am GMT+7

Police across Vietnam have recently detected cases involving asset appropriation by businesses posing as financial services firms, who conduct illegal debt collection.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quoc Hung presented a report on the problem at a National Assembly Standing Committee meeting in Hanoi early this week on security, social order and safety.

He said in recent times, his ministry has instructed police in many localities to address debt collection and loan shark issues.

“Police have clearly analyzed the nature of these criminal groups, especially illegal debt collectors. It is not terrorism or slandering; the nature of this type of crime is the appropriation of assets,” Hung said, while mentioning two typical cases that clearly involve newly sophisticated tricks.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quoc Hung speaks at a National Assembly Standing Committee meeting in Hanoi on April 10, 2023. Photo courtesy of the National Assembly.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Le Quoc Hung speaks at a National Assembly Standing Committee meeting in Hanoi on April 10, 2023. Photo courtesy of the National Assembly.

He noted their tricks have made serious impacts on security and order.

The first case involves asset appropriation by Ho Chi Minh City-headquartered law firm Phap Viet. On February 14, 2023, the Ministry of Public Security directed Tien Giang province police to crack down on the firm for asset appropriation via illegal debt collection.

Hung said it was an organized ring with large-scale operations conducted via a strict, three-level debt collecting process. The first involved making threatening phone calls to demand payment. The next step was threatening to kill the borrower’s family members, spreading libelous photos, or threatening job loss.

At the third level, coffins were delivered to the borrower’s workplace, and sometimes a gas tank or gasoline to heighten the threat. Schools attended by the borrower’s children were similarly targeted.

For such cases, Tien Giang police have prosecuted 54 defendants, including two deputy directors, 20 division heads, one secretary, and 31 staff members .

The second case involves criminals pretending to be a financial services company.

The deputy minister said that from November 2022 till now, his ministry has directed HCMC police to dismantle six groups accused of asset appropriation in the guise of consumer finance firms.

They include Mirae Asset Ltd., River Law Company’s HCMC Branch, Tieng Noi Hay Ltd., and Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Company.

HCMC police have prosecuted 64 defendants for appropriating assets. They have conducted administrative checks on a number of other firms like Galaxy Debt Trading Co., Easy Credit, and Shinhan Finance Company.

Hung said following police crackdowns in HCMC and Tien Giang, some organizations disguised as debt collection companies have changed their markets or downsized to deal with the police. This has resulted in a safer society nationwide compared to the time prior to the police campaigns, and residents supported the crackdowns, he added.

At the 21st session of the National Assembly Standing Committee on March 15, the Ombudsman Committee said it had received thoughts and aspirations from voters nationwide who claimed that pawn services, debt collection activities by enterprises registered as law firms, debt trading companies, and similar businesses had recently terrorized the spirit of borrowers and their families, frightening the general public and harming social order.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Vietnam's oil shipping major PVTrans to pay record high dividend

Vietnam's oil shipping major PVTrans to pay record high dividend

PetroVietnam Transportation Corporation (PVTrans), a subsidiary of state-owned Petrovietnam, will issue nearly 113.9 million shares to pay 2024 dividends, raising its charter capital to VND4,699 billion (over $180 million).

Companies - Mon, June 16, 2025 | 3:51 pm GMT+7

How retail giant Aeon Mall rapidly expands presence in Vietnam

How retail giant Aeon Mall rapidly expands presence in Vietnam

Japanese retailer Aeon Mall has employed a consistent strategy to expand its footprint across Vietnam: partnering with domestic companies that possess land funds earmarked for commercial real estate development.

Real Estate - Mon, June 16, 2025 | 12:10 pm GMT+7

Two Vietnamese stocks face bourse delisting for information disclosure violations

Two Vietnamese stocks face bourse delisting for information disclosure violations

Nam Song Hau Trading and Investing Petroleum JSC (PSH) and Koji Asset Investment JSC (KPF) are facing mandatory delisting from the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) due to serious breaches of information disclosure regulations.

Finance - Mon, June 16, 2025 | 9:20 am GMT+7

MBBank offers free app for business households' sales management, electronic invoice issuance

MBBank offers free app for business households' sales management, electronic invoice issuance

MBBank (MB) is offering its mSeller application for free – a solution to support sales management and issuance of electronic invoices exclusively for business households, small traders, and micro-sized enterprises.

Companies - Mon, June 16, 2025 | 9:05 am GMT+7

How to invest in a volatile Vietnamese stock market

How to invest in a volatile Vietnamese stock market

After a strong recovery from the market bottom of 2025 on April 9, the VN-Index has entered a correction phase, with six out of eight sessions showing declines between June 4 and Friday, June 13.

Finance - Mon, June 16, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Third round of Vietnam-US reciprocal trade pact talks sees 'significant progress'

Third round of Vietnam-US reciprocal trade pact talks sees 'significant progress'

The third technical round of negotiations for a reciprocal trade agreement between Vietnam and the U.S. has concluded in Washington, D.C., with "significant progress made and gaps narrowed in all areas of negotiation," according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Economy - Sun, June 15, 2025 | 9:57 pm GMT+7

HCMC seeks to expand infrastructure cooperation with Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

HCMC seeks to expand infrastructure cooperation with Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

Ho Chi Minh City is aiming to expand cooperation with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (China) in infrastructure, one of the city’s key sectors following its merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces.

Economy - Sun, June 15, 2025 | 8:00 pm GMT+7

Digital assets legalized in Vietnam

Digital assets legalized in Vietnam

Vietnam has officially legalized digital assets with the approval of the Law on Digital Technology Industry by the National Assembly, the country's legislature, on Saturday.

Finance - Sun, June 15, 2025 | 3:07 pm GMT+7

$2.5 bln LNG power plant in northern Vietnam set for groundbreaking in late 2025

$2.5 bln LNG power plant in northern Vietnam set for groundbreaking in late 2025

A $2.56 billion LNG-fueled power project in the northern Vietnam province of Thai Binh is slated to break ground later this year, according a project report dated June 2025.

Energy - Sun, June 15, 2025 | 10:06 am GMT+7

Vietnam’s tech unicorn VNG expects 2025 loss to narrow by 47%, plans name change

Vietnam’s tech unicorn VNG expects 2025 loss to narrow by 47%, plans name change

VNG Corporation, Vietnam’s first tech unicorn, projects a net loss of VND620 billion ($2.38 million) in 2025, down 47% from last year.

Companies - Sun, June 15, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Prime Minister suggests AstraZeneca build pharma factory in Vietnam

Prime Minister suggests AstraZeneca build pharma factory in Vietnam

Vietnam is willing to license AstraZeneca immediately to build vaccine and pharmaceutical factories, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Industries - Sat, June 14, 2025 | 10:59 pm GMT+7

Sugary drinks subject to excise tax in Vietnam from 2027

Sugary drinks subject to excise tax in Vietnam from 2027

Sugary drinks in Vietnam will be subject to an 8% excise tax starting in early 2027 and 10% from 2028, according to the adjusted Excise Tax Law, passed by the parliament on Saturday.

Economy - Sat, June 14, 2025 | 4:56 pm GMT+7

Ericsson should focus on 6G research, build database for AI in Vietnam: Prime Minister

Ericsson should focus on 6G research, build database for AI in Vietnam: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has suggested Ericsson's cooperation with Vietnam should focus on piloting innovation initiatives, 6G research, and building a database for AI in the country.

Economy - Sat, June 14, 2025 | 3:59 pm GMT+7

Swedish giants H&M, Syre to scale up operations in Vietnam

Swedish giants H&M, Syre to scale up operations in Vietnam

H&M, a globally renowned fashion brand from Sweden, plans to expand its network of stores in Vietnam to over 20 in the time to come, said CFO Adam Karlsson.

Industries - Sat, June 14, 2025 | 2:16 pm GMT+7

Leading industrial park developer Becamex to gain from Binh Duong province’s merger into HCMC: broker

Leading industrial park developer Becamex to gain from Binh Duong province’s merger into HCMC: broker

Becamex IDC Corp, a leading urban and industrial park developer based in Binh Duong, is expected to benefit from the province’s merger into Ho Chi Minh City, with many new development opportunities, according to Vietcombank Securities (VCBS).

Companies - Sat, June 14, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Vietnam Airlines secures $1.5 bln funding from ING Bank for strategic expansion

Vietnam Airlines secures $1.5 bln funding from ING Bank for strategic expansion

Vietnam Airlines and ING Bank have signed an MoU for bilateral financial cooperation, securing capital funding of up to $1.5 billion.

Companies - Fri, June 13, 2025 | 10:56 pm GMT+7